About

Socceroos player ratings

An all-round positive performance was topped off by Robbie Kruse's match-winning turn. The Offsider had sweet dreams last night.

Mark Schwarzer:Very little to do for the veteran but he-ll be happy with a clean sheet. 6

Luke Wilkshire: A positive game for the right fullback, solid at the back, willing to get forward in support of Kruse, which opened up the game for the marauding winger. 8

Lucas Neill: Very little to do for the skipper. As dependable as always but got caught out a couple of times when he looked to move upfield. That said, he did it late one - and scored his first goal for Australia. Even the Offsider isn-t so churlish to complain about that. 7

Sasa Ognenovski: The big man-s reading of the game provided some key interceptions of the Jordan attack. Physical, yes, but not without smarts. Australia-s central defensive pairing lack pace but still had enough to repel Jordan without too much sweat. 7

Matt McKay: A poor night at leftback for the usually reliable McKay, caught in possession and guilty of too many cheap turnovers. Both McKay and Oar struggled on the left - but who-s going to argue with a clean sheet? 5

Robbie Kruse: Man of the match the winger made the most of his pace and enjoyed good support from Luke Wilkshire at rightback, curling those low balls onto his run, from which he delivered two quality assists. Kruse was the key to unlocking Jordan and he delivered. Fully deserved that excellently taken goal of his own. Now Australia-s most exciting player. 9

Mark Bresciano: Calm, assured, poised - everything we love about Mark Bresciano. His midfield partnership with Mark Milligan is a classic structure and one that means so much to the Socceroos. With Bresc, they-re just not the same side. His late arrival for the first goal underlines the understanding of the game that makes him such a vital cog. 8

Mark Milligan: There seemed to be little question that Milligan could replicate his domestic form with Melbourne Victory and he was at his best tonight, protecting the defence, breaking up attacks and providing his teammates. Simple but very effective. 8

Tommy Oar: Never quite had the impact some expected or hoped, but was still part of a positive Australian movement on the flanks, opposite Robbie Kruse. Oar got perhaps the roughest treatment of the night but didn-t stop running. 6

Brett Holman: Holman has been one of Australia-s most reliable midfield creators recently - but not in this game, where he was largely anonymous. Perhaps suffered from Australia-s game plan to utilise the flanks and Jordan-s compression in the middle of the park denied him the space to make his mark. 6

Tim Cahill: Again utilised as a deep lying but sole striker, Cahill-s job is very difficult but he does it with his trademark commitment. He loved getting on the end of Robbie Kruse-s cross - but I reckon Socceroos fans would love it more if he was played in behind a striker and allowed to play in his favoured position. 7

Subs
Archie Thompson: Immediate impact, even if it was just his character lifting the spirits of the Melbourne crowd and his teammates. His appearance seemed to open the Socceroos up, with chances and goals coming in quick succession after his introduction. 7

Tom Rogic
At last! The game was sewn up by the time Rogic came on but it was great to see him get some game time, and his direct running at the Jordan defence immediately caused problems. More please. 7

Dario Vidosic:
Too late for the Adelaide man to have an impact but again, good to see him getting some game time.6